Wooden divination board, Democratic Republic of Congo, 1880-1920

The diviner covers the flat back of the crocodile-shaped divination board with water and oil. They then rub the board with a wooden block. Used by the Kuba people of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the board is known as an itombwa. They believe the block sticks when the diviner mentions something important to you regarding your illness, even if the board is turned upside down. The circular cap is used to carry the board.